#2681. Art Nouveau Façade Mosaic Decoration with Mythological Female Figure

The photograph depicts a magnificent mosaic detail on a building façade, characteristic of the Art Nouveau style from the early 20th century. This decorative panel is set within a shallow niche on the façade, framed by a simple sandy-colored stone portal. The mosaic is executed in smalti technique using small colored stones, creating a vibrant image against a golden-yellow background.

The central element of the composition is a mythological figure - a sphinx or chimera with a female torso, green wings, and a plant-like base instead of a lower body. The figure is crowned with a decorative headdress in the Art Nouveau style. Around the main image unfolds a rich vegetative ornament with floral garlands hanging from red columns on either side. The characteristic Art Nouveau fluidity of lines is evident in the curved plant elements of the lower part of the panel.

This decorative detail demonstrates the typical Art Nouveau combination of naturalistic plant motifs with fantastic imagery, as well as a love for bright colors and decorative sumptuousness. Such elements were often used to accentuate important architectural fragments, creating a unique artistic appearance for the building.